I believe in restoring them back .. but not when they are as nice as yours looks. If it was a rough looking driver I would say yes

 

Personally, I'd rather see an original car that needs a little work than a modified one that that is all chromed out and "personalized". How much, if any, of the original drivetrain do you have left? Number's matching Z's are bringing $50k and up these days. I guess it all boils down to what you want to do with the car and if it is worth it to you.

 

I see clones and non-numbers matching going for over 50k.... I would have to get a trans and motor. I am thinking that I can take all the modified pieces off this one and put it on one that is not a Z-28, then rebuild it to stock and make it look brand new for 25-30k total investment is 35k can sell it for at least 60 if need be. Right now this car has won many awards at bigger car shows like world of wheels and others.The other reason I am thinking about it is because I am going to put a bigger motor in it but to do so I will need to start cutting, it is now or never.

 

The other reason I am thinking about it is because I am going to put a bigger motor in it but to do so I will need to start cutting, it is now or never.

OK .. in that case I would say time to put back as close to original as possible.

 

Without a doubt....RESTORE IT!!!

 

You don't have to cut it up to put a bigger motor in it b/c I have a 496 in my SS/RS now and it fits in it just like stock.

Now, if you are talking about caging and mini-tubbing it, that is a different thing and I won't do it to mine b/c it will now longer ever be stock/virgin again.

pdq67

 

if he's running 9's on 32 by 14" tires, he is all ready caged and tubbed...

On the one hand, with all the clone Z's, it's always nice to see a real one saved, but it is one darned pretty race car and there is nothing wrong with that either.

My initial thought was "if it's time to retire it from racing, restore it to stock."

I think I'll stick with that.

 

I am talking about a dry sump pan (notched subframe), procharger F3R blower, intercooler etc... the car currently has a 509 ci motor in it but it only makes 800 hp on motor. Total horsepower I am looking at is in excess of 1600. The unfortunate part is the car is already tubbed but it is completely original sheetmetal from behind the drivers seat foward.

 

The motor is 9 years old and the paint is 14 years old... although I have gone to extrordinary lengths to keep the car from being damaged like a "race car". The paint is still great in comparison to a lot of 1-2 year old paint jobs. I was just thinking I need to really think this over because a 40k race car is still only worth 40k or less, but a restored original can only appreciate.

Rob

 

If you truly believe a welded-up no paperwork non-OE drivetrain '69 Z/28 is worth "at least 60" more power to you.

 

Then you tell me how many of these cars going for 50-75 are "really" original.... i bet over 80-90% of them are not. If they were then why are places like year one and paddock and others selling so many replacement parts. To top that off...did you really look at some off the pictures of these high dollar cars... paint flaking off the engine, exhaust manifolds rusty, rear end isnt clean all the nooks and crannies are in terrible shape but yet they get that high dollar